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Project Spotlight
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Welcome to Givewell's Project Spotlight. Each month we highlight a project for which a charity is currently seeking funds. We also provide details on how to give directly for this project.
Project description Volunteering Queensland (VQ) exists to facilitate creative responses to community needs and has a commitment to providing opportunities for community capacity building through initiatives such as LINK projects. The aim of the LINK projects is to utilise a central database within a local community, capable of linking all community resources including organisations, businesses, and individuals. This would allow communities to identify existing problems within their communities, assess what resources are available, and be able to address those problems. VQ will be piloting LINK projects in local suburban Neighbourhood centres for local communities. These projects will include the development of a database of local businesses who have agreed to support community organisations or community projects. This would include professional people such as lawyers and accountants who have offered their time and expertise on a one-off or regular basis to community groups. The database will also include details of individuals or potential volunteers prepared to share their skills, time and experience with organisations seeking support either for their regular services or one-off volunteer jobs. Another feature of the database will be a listing of local resources such as community venues, community service clubs and local resources available to the broader community through statutory bodies such as schools and local governments etc. VQ already has an extensive list of local community service providers in the form of its current membership. However, this project would expand the list of local services and community groups on its current database. Other interested partners in the project are Centrelink, Westpac Banking Corp, Shopping Centers and local governments. The first LINK project will be launched in 2001, the International Year of Volunteers. The projects will operate with the assistance of volunteer staff, trained and recruited by Volunteering Queensland, with the support and management from Volunteering Queensland's Programs Manager, Carlton Meyn. Submissions are currently being written by Volunteering Queensland to Commonwealth, State and Local Governments for further funding and support for the local Community Capacity Building LINK Projects. Volunteering Queensland's aim is to have local LINK Projects running throughout the whole state by the end of 2001. These projects will be brought about through the innovative use of technology. Can donors/grantmakers give directly for this project? Yes If so, how? By cheque made payable to 'Volunteering Queensland Inc', stating that the donation is to be directed to 'LINK projects.' Please mark cheques to the attention of Mr. Carlton Meyn, Programs and Volunteer Manager. Postal Address: Volunteering Queensland Inc., GPO Box 623, Brisbane, QLD 4001. Is there an allowance for administration costs? VQ as the LINK projects facilitator will utilise its existing administration resources for the purposes of the project. If so, how much? N/A Contact details for further information: Diane Morgan - Chief Executive Officer or Carlton Meyn - Programs & Volunteer Manager Phone 07 3229 9700 or email volqld@powerup.com.au This project was selected by Givewell's Research Analyst, Aneesh Sadarangani: "When the energy of volunteers is properly directed, it can have a large impact on events as witnessed at the Sydney 2000 Olympics. The LINK project should assist volunteers in Queensland come into contact with organisations (within their local communities) seeking their skills." Aneesh has made a donation to the project which has been matched by Givewell. |
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